Government units' financial situation cautiously positive

Bern, 06.03.2017 – For the first time in two years, the government units ended 2015 in positive territory again. The good result was driven primarily by the high surpluses of the Confederation and the social security funds. A surplus can probably be expected in 2016 too. Although the receipts of the Confederation and the social security funds increased only slightly, the climate for the cantons brightened significantly. The general government is likely to achieve a positive balance once again in 2017. Despite this cautiously optimistic backdrop, a further debt reduction cannot be expected across the board for the public finances in the next few years. This is what is depicted in the latest financial statistics figures.